Author: Michael Gerhardt

Today, Seattle-based Manson Construction Co. announced the execution of a contract for the construction of a 15,000 cubic yard hopper dredge with Keppel AmFELS. Designed in collaboration with Hockema Whalen Myers Associates (HWMA), the Frederick Paup will be built at Keppel AmFELS’ facility in Brownsville, Texas and is slated to be fully operational in Spring 2023.

“This is an exciting time in the U.S. dredging industry,” said…

“The U.S. dredging industry joins the Corpus Christi, TX, community in deepest sorrow over yesterday’s pipeline incident involving the dredge Waymon Boyd. We send our thoughts and prayers to the injured and missing crew members, their families, and anyone who may have suffered from this terrible event,” said Eric Ellefsen, President of Dredging Contractors of America.

Pacific Dredge & Construction (PDC) of San Diego, California is a  leader in cutter suction dredging, mechanical dredging, and marine construction, stretching from the San Francisco Bay Area to San Diego and out to Catalina Island. Specific services include harbor dredging, channel dredging, marina dredging, shallow water dredging, dam and reservoir dredging, habitat restoration, beach nourishment, pier and wharf construction, pile driving, breakwater and dike construction,…

On July 30 Callan Marine of Galveston, Texas announced that a fifth cutter suction dredge (CSD), the General Bradley, will be added to the company’s fleet next year. The new dredge is a 28”, 341-foot long, diesel electric powered CSD with three ABC 12DCZ engines providing 9,260 total installed horsepower on board. Construction is already underway at Halimar Shipyard in Morgan City, LA, and the dredge is anticipated to begin…

Southern Dredging Co., Inc. is a family owned small business dredging contractor. Incorporated in February of 1982, Southern Dredging operates along the Southeast coast from Florida to Norfolk, Virginia, performing various projects, including maintenance dredging, beach nourishment, and marsh construction. Over the past several years, Southern Dredging has worked closely on several capital improvement projects that have helped to forge a great business relationship with many companies. Southern Dredging’s experience…

Family owned and operated, Mike Hooks, LLC was founded in 1945 and incorporated in 1957. The company has operated at its current location of 409 Mike Hooks Rd. since 1955. The 10-acre yard is positioned just off the Calcasieu Ship Channel in Westlake, Louisiana. From its earliest roots until present day, Mike Hooks has provided dredging services on a variety of government and private marine construction contracts. The company’s…

Kurt Robert Luedtke was born to Karl and Sue (Lyon) Luedtke on July 15, 1956 in Kenosha, Wisconsin and passed away early last week. He graduated from Frankfort High School in 1974 and from Michigan State University in 1980, earning a civil engineering degree. In that year Kurt married his high school sweetheart Kelene Fairchild, and they moved to Washington State and Northern California for his work. In 1984…

The Dredging Contractors of America welcomes Chris Connor as the new President and CEO of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA).  Mr. Connor began leading the AAPA last month, and he has not wasted anytime filling key positions.   Mr. Connor is the former Global CEO of Wallenius Wilhemsen Logistics (WWL).  He also served in executive and leadership roles with Unites States Lines and Crowley Maritime Corporation, and is…

Today on August 12, 2019 at its repair facility in Houma, Louisiana, dredging and marine construction contractor Weeks Marine celebrated its 100^thanniversary with the christening of its newest asset – the highly automated and multifunctional ocean-going U.S.-flag hydraulic cutter suction dredge J.S. Chatry. The team that created the CR McCaskill and the Magdalen has now constructed the next generation in cutter suction dredges for the U.S. Jones Act fleet.

On April 9^th the King Company of Holland, Michigan officially joined the DCA, bringing to the association 36 years of dredging and marine construction expertise on the Great Lakes. King specializes in a wide array of construction services, including hydraulic dredging, marine construction, earth retention systems, foundation piling, and deep foundations. Since 1983 King has continually provided the highest level of service, combining design/build experience and extensive equipment, resources…